Summary

• I once delegated our recruiting function after building the department, assuming the systems I put in place would be followed.
• Ten months later, I noticed the interview process didn’t seem to follow any of my protocols.
• I realized that after delegation, I failed to ensure quality by not checking if my processes were being used correctly.
• I learned that it's crucial to not only delegate but also implement metrics and checklists to ensure tasks are done right.
• Always follow up after delegating tasks to ensure people understand and stick to the established systems.

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How To Take Action

How to Implement Effective Delegation for Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs, or Personal Growth

I would suggest implementing the following strategies to ensure effective delegation and achieve desired outcomes:

• Create Clear Systems and Checklists: Before delegating any task, create detailed systems and checklists. This will ensure everyone knows exactly what needs to be done and how. For example, if you're delegating recruiting tasks, ensure there’s a detailed step-by-step guide or a playbook covering every aspect from cultural fit interviews to skill assessments.

• Regular Follow-Ups: Don't just delegate and forget. Schedule regular check-ins to see if tasks are being completed as per the established systems. This can be as simple as weekly or bi-weekly meetings to review progress and address any issues early.

• Implement Metrics: Set up clear, measurable metrics to gauge performance. For recruiting, this could be the number of successful hires, time taken to fill positions, or feedback from new hires about their interview experience. Make these metrics visible and discuss them regularly with your team.

• Provide Training: Ensure that anyone you delegate tasks to fully understands the systems and checklists. This could involve initial training sessions and refresher courses. Make the playbooks and guides easily accessible.

• Feedback Loop: Create a feedback loop where employees can report problems or suggest improvements to the processes. This will help in refining the systems continuously and ensure they remain effective.

By consistently following these steps, you’ll ensure that tasks are done correctly even after delegation. These strategies require low cost and time investment but can yield high value in maintaining the quality and efficiency of your business operations.